I Had a Medical Pedicure—and Post Op, My Feet Are Extra Smooth

I never thought I would hear "pass the scalpel" while getting a pedicure, but a tiny, medical-grade blade made an appearance at my most recent session. Tamara, a podiatrist who works at Margaret Dabbs Skin Clinic in London, used it to tackle calluses and rough spots, along with a miniature whirring drill to remove dead skin around my cuticles. Yes, it sounds fairly horrific, but the tools barely tickled—and when I saw how smooth my feet looked, I understood why the clinic is London's go-to spot for what they call "medical pedicures" (they count lords and ladies among their high-end clientele and a 45-minute pedicure with a senior podiatrist runs 120 pounds). I asked founder Margaret Dabbs for the best ways to care for your feet—without having access to a medical kit or a royal's purse.

1. File nails straight across—it helps prevent in-growns—and only run the emory board over your nails in one direction to avoid cracking and peeling.

2. Use a pumice or file on your feet once a week but only when they're dry, before showering. "When the skin is wet, you can't see calluses as well, and the file just rolls over the skin without really gripping it," says Dabbs. "Plus wet skin is softer, so it's more prone to infection and cracking." Dabbs suggests asking pedicurists at a salon to do the same—and never, ever letting them use a razor on your feet (hey, we can't all be podiatrists). She also advocates skipping metal files—she says they don't get the skin totally smooth, causing calluses to build up unevenly—in favor of stainless steel ones like her own Superior Foot File.

3. To get skin extra soft, use a moisturizing scrub after you file. Skin should be damp for this. Try Margaret Dabbs Exfoliating Foot Mousse with hydrating emu oil or Aveda Foot Relief with jojoba oil. "Just use a tiny bit at a time so it'll last longer," says Dabbs. "Add more water instead of more of the scrub." Finish by moisturizing feet.